Jabez (Jay) David Smith of Friendship, Arkansas, passed away September 30,2022 at CHI St. Vincent Hospital in Hot Springs Arkansas. Jay was born in Malvern, Arkansas, August 25, 1935, to Larkin and Bonnie McCrary Smith. Jay was preceded in death by his parents, brothers, Ernest, Carl, Joe, Calvin, Glen, Clayton and sisters, Bonnie Smith Eyre and Emily Smith Conaster.

Jabez served in the United States Navy during the Korean conflict. After serving his country he came home in 1955, to begin his career in mechanics at the Fort Rucker Army Aviation base in Ozark, Alabama during the Vietnam war, where he worked on fixed wing aircraft and helicopters. He met and married the love of his life, Mozelle Watson Smith on November 11, 1955, they had 2 sons, Jabez David Smith Jr. and Ernest Lee Smith. In 1968, Jabez and family moved to Arkansas to start work at the Jones Mill Reynolds Metal Company. Jay also worked at the Alcoa Metals company in Troutdale, Oregon, then retired in 1991. Jay moved back to Friendship, Arkansas, in 1991 to enjoy being a loving and adoring grandfather, better known as "Poppa", two grandchildren and two great grandchildren. Jay loved his family and friends and enjoyed spending time with them, especially his coffee crew, that he met with each week to discuss how to solve world problems.

Surviving family includes his wife, Mozelle Watson Smith; sons, Jabez David Smith, Jr. and Ernest Lee Smith, wife, Danette Wood Smith; grandson, Joshua Lee Smith, wife Brittany Ryan Smith; granddaughter, Sophia Marie Smith; great granddaughters, Carly Anne Smith and Madelyn Jay Smith and numerous nieces, nephews and friends. Jabez was a dedicated member of the Friendship Missionary Baptist church.

Services for funeral will be at 2:00pm with visitation beginning at 1:00pm at Friendship Missionary Baptist Church on Wednesday, October 5 with Brother Joe Bob Smith and Brother Josh Stacy officiating.  Burial will be at Ouachita Cemetery in Donaldson.  Pallbearers will be Mike Morrison, Randy Morrison, Josh Fowler, Cecil Hathcock, Tommy Womack and Donnie Cannon.  Honorary pallbearers will be Phillip Sharp, Curtis Robinson, Mike Kizziar and Dr. Shawn Purifoy.

Special thank you to CHI St. Vincent ICU, Palliative Care and all those who helped with car wreck, including specifically the volunteer fire department.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Friendship Missionary Baptist Church, local and foreign mission funds or the Ouachita Cemetery fund.

Arrangements are by Regency Funeral Home.  You may sign the guest book at regencyfuneralhome.com.